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Featured Artist

"When I first worked with leather, I truly fell in love with it. It's fascinating!"

"My name is Suchada Chunsawat and I'm from Chiang Mai where I create leather bags.

"When I finished high school, I didn't continue studying. I met a craftsman who makes leather bags and, after showing my interest in contemporary leather goods, he persuaded me to learn. When I first worked with leather, I truly fell in love with it. It's fascinating!

"I learned each step in the process, from getting to know each kind of leather to bleaching, dying, sewing and assembling a completed bag. Eventually, I began designing and found talented craftspeople who collaborate with me.

"Once I was confident that I knew enough and had enough experience, so I decided to sell my designs in a bazaar. There, I met customers from different countries, listened to their comments asked for suggestions for my own creations.

"When I saved up enough, I thought about continuing my studies and enrolled in classes on the weekends so that I could work from Monday to Friday. I craft and sell bags, wallets, briefcases, backpacks, small suitcases, shoes and leather jackets. There are usually lots of leather scraps that I never throw away. I use them to train new artisans, who make coin purses or keychains.

"When my work doesn't satisfy a shopper, I assure him or her that I can modify the design in question. When I can satisfy clients and see their smiles, I feel encouraged. I hope you like my handcrafted leather designs."

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Ernestina Asante

West Africa

Although carving has long been regarded as the preserve of men, Ernestina has been able to make her own mark on the industry, carving her own masks and djembe drums.

Through her sales with NOVICA, Ernestina has grown as an entrepreneur, expanding her business and taking on apprentices. She even persuaded her husband who was a taxi driver to quit his job and join NOVICA as a carver.